Unity vs Unreal: Which Game Engine Should You Choose?

When you’re getting started in game development, one of the first—and biggest—questions you’ll run into is: Unity vs Unreal—which game engine should I use?

Both Unity and Unreal Engine are powerful, industry-standard tools. They’ve been used to create some of the most popular games and experiences out there. But they each have their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

In this article we will break it down and help you figure out which engine fits your goals best.

Unity vs Unreal: Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Unity vs Unreal: Market Share and Industry Adoption

Unity is the most widely used game engine in the world. 

As of 2024, it powers about 40–50% of all games globally, and is especially dominant in mobile gaming—over 70% of the top 1,000 mobile games are made with Unity, according to Unity Technologies (2024). Indie developers, small studios, and companies making 2D or mobile games love Unity. It’s also popular outside gaming, like in architecture, automotive, and simulations.

Unreal Engine is used for about 10–28% of new games, depending on the platform. On Steam, 28% of new games in 2024 used Unreal. Big studios and AAA game developers prefer Unreal, especially for PC and console games. It’s also used in the film industry for special effects and virtual production.

Even though more games are made with Unity, games made with Unreal often earn more money. In 2024, Unreal Engine games made up 31% of Steam revenue, compared to Unity’s 26, according to Video Game Insights (VGI).

Unity vs Unreal: Learning Curve and Tools

If you’re new to game development, Unity is generally easier to learn than Unreal Engine. 

Unity uses C#, a language that is simpler and more beginner-friendly than Unreal’s C++. 

Unreal Engine uses C++ which is a powerful but complex language. It gives you more control but requires you to manage memory and deal with more advanced programming concepts, which can be overwhelming for beginners.

Luckily, Unreal offers the Blueprint visual scripting system that lets you create game logic by connecting nodes instead of writing code.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up, MAGES Institute has a clear learning path for aspiring game developers.

If you’re new to game creation, the Diploma in Game Design and Technology gets you hands-on with Unity and C#, building your foundation through practical projects and beginner-friendly programming. 

For those looking to dive deeper, the Advanced Diploma in Game Design and Technology introduces you to Unreal Engine and C++, equipping you with advanced skills and industry tools used in professional studios.

Unity vs Unreal: Performance and Graphics

Unity is popular because it works well on low-end computers and mobile devices. Its Universal Render Pipeline (URP) helps games load quickly and run smoothly, making it a top choice for mobile and indie games.

With the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP), Unity now supports advanced lighting and ray tracing, so it can get close to Unreal’s graphics quality, though it usually takes more effort to optimize.

Unreal Engine stands out for its top-tier, realistic graphics, using advanced features like Lumen for real-time lighting and Nanite for detailed geometry. This makes Unreal the top choice for AAA games and projects aiming for cinematic visuals. 

However, all this power requires high-end hardware. Epic Games’ official documentation lists high recommended specs for Unreal Engine 5, including 64 GB RAM and an NVIDIA RTX 2080 SUPER to fully utilize Lumen and Nanite, which are designed for high-end PCs and consoles.

So, if you want the best graphics and have strong hardware, Unreal is hard to beat. If you need great performance across many devices, especially for mobile or indie games, Unity is likely the better choice.

Unity vs Unreal: Which Is Better for VR and AR?

Both engines support virtual and augmented reality, but they take different approaches.

Unity is often the go-to for VR/AR developers because of how flexible and lightweight it is. You can build once and deploy on multiple platforms like Meta Quest, HoloLens, or mobile AR. It’s great for fast prototyping and cross-platform publishing.

Unreal Engine is more often used in high-end VR simulations, training programs, and cinematic XR experiences. If you need hyper-real visuals or complex interactions, Unreal might serve you better.

In short: Unity is great for getting started in XR, while Unreal is the choice for polished, immersive experiences.

Unity vs Unreal: Energy Efficiency

Here’s something you might not think about—but matters more and more in today’s world: energy efficiency.

A study published on arXiv in 2024 compared how much power each engine used:

• In physics simulations, Unity consumed 351% less energy than Unreal.
• For static mesh rendering, Unity was still ahead—17% more efficient.
• But with dynamic meshes, Unreal pulled ahead—26% more efficient than Unity.

So depending on the workload, one may drain your hardware more than the other. For mobile apps or large-scale deployment, Unity’s efficiency could save money and power in the long run.

Learn Unity and Unreal at MAGES Institute

No matter which side you’re leaning toward, getting proper training makes all the difference. That’s where MAGES Institute comes in. We offer hands-on, industry-relevant courses for both Unity and Unreal, with no fluff—just what you need to build games, fast.

Here’s how our courses stack up:

Unity Courses

• Diploma in Game Design and Technology: Master Unity and C# by building 7 games in 12 months.
• Indie Game Development Short Course: Learn Unity in a part-time format.

Unreal Courses

• Advanced Diploma in Game Design and Technology: Build games and interactive experiences using Unreal.
• Unreal Engine Foundation: Learn Unreal from scratch—ideal for artists, designers, and film professionals.
• Game Creator Workshop: For teens—build your first Fortnite game in Unreal Editor in just a few days.

Fundamental Courses

• Game Concept Design: Learn how to design characters, environments, and gameplay loops.
• Fundamentals of 3D Modelling Workshop: Build 3D assets that you can bring into either Unity or Unreal.

We also offer real-world project experience, mentorship from industry veterans, and a clear path to career placement.

Unity vs Unreal: So… Which Should You Pick?

Here’s the truth: there’s no “better” engine—only the better fit for your project.

Pick Unity if:

• You want to build mobile or 2D games.
• You’re just starting out and want an easier coding language (C#).
• You need to optimize for multiple platforms and lower-end devices.
• You want quick deployment and community support.

Pick Unreal if:

• You want to build 3D games with stunning visuals.
  You’re working on a PC or console title.
• You’re aiming for cinematic or VR/AR realism.
• You like using visual scripting with Blueprints.

Final Word: Unity vs Unreal is Not a War—It’s a Choice

In the end, both engines are excellent, and knowing how to use either (or both) makes you more flexible and employable in the games industry. Many game studios even use both, depending on the needs of each project.

So don’t stress too much. Start learning, start building—and figure out what works best for you as you grow!